Published: Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 8:24 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, December 30, 2012 at 9:27 p.m.

DELAND — Although Christmas may be over, holiday decorations at the historic Stetson Mansion will be up through Jan. 15 as its owners welcome the public inside for tours.

Built in 1886, the nearly 10,000-square foot home at 1031 Camphor Lane served as a winter retreat for John B. Stetson, the famous hat maker from Philadelphia for whom Stetson University is named.

J.T. Thompson and Michael Solari, real estate professionals previously from South Florida, purchased the mansion in 2005 and restored it to its former Guilded Age glory. Since then, the pair have invited visitors to tour the historic home.

Though the mansion is open for tours year-round, for a few weeks each Christmas season, Thompson and Solari deck the halls lavishly, using nearly 100 boxes worth of holiday decorations.

During a tour Sunday, Thompson explained the history of the home, talked about its original owner and subsequent history, as well as his hectic journey in restoring the mansion to its original glory. Along with his partner, he explained how he has the privilege of sleeping in the same mansion that hosted visitors such President Grover Cleveland, King Edward VII of Great Britain and the inventor Thomas Edison.

"When we purchased it, it was the first time in 125 years that the entire estate was open to the public," said Thompson. "It's a really, really amazing house filled with tons of history."

As he led a tour group through the mansion's hallowed corridors Sunday, he stressed that despite its deep history and current status as an attraction, the mansion is first and foremost home for him and Solari.

"I want you to realize and feel that this is our home," he said. "This is not a museum, this is not a memorial, this is not a place that you have to walk with your hands behind your back. You are our guests."

Solari said the opportunity for the pair to purchase the mansion sort of "fell into (their) lap" while they were looking to buy a beachfront home around Ormond Beach.

Although the two both had experience in real estate, neither had dealt with restoring a historic mansion. But bit by bit, over about 18 months, they transformed their new house into a home Stetson himself would probably enjoy.

In each room, visitors are greeted with the sweet smell of pine, coming from than a dozen Christmas trees displayed throughout the mansion, each decorated in a unique fashion, often to reflect the history of the room they're in.

Thompson said throughout the years he and Solari have owned the mansion, it's popularity has only continued to increase – something he largely attributes to satisfied visitors spreading news about the home through word-of-mouth. He said this year marks their busiest holiday season thus far.

Tours are available at different times throughout the day, but reservations are required. Admission is $20 per person, payable in cash at the door. Space is limited, and many of the holiday tours, which end on Jan. 15, are already sold out.

ALSO: Reservations required for all tours. E-mail StetsonMansion@hotmail.com with your preferred date and alternate dates, number of people in your party and a number you can be reached at. No phone calls for reservations.

<p>DELAND &mdash; Although Christmas may be over, holiday decorations at the historic Stetson Mansion will be up through Jan. 15 as its owners welcome the public inside for tours. </p><p>Built in 1886, the nearly 10,000-square foot home at 1031 Camphor Lane served as a winter retreat for John B. Stetson, the famous hat maker from Philadelphia for whom Stetson University is named. </p><p>J.T. Thompson and Michael Solari, real estate professionals previously from South Florida, purchased the mansion in 2005 and restored it to its former Guilded Age glory. Since then, the pair have invited visitors to tour the historic home. </p><p>Though the mansion is open for tours year-round, for a few weeks each Christmas season, Thompson and Solari deck the halls lavishly, using nearly 100 boxes worth of holiday decorations. </p><p>During a tour Sunday, Thompson explained the history of the home, talked about its original owner and subsequent history, as well as his hectic journey in restoring the mansion to its original glory. Along with his partner, he explained how he has the privilege of sleeping in the same mansion that hosted visitors such President Grover Cleveland, King Edward VII of Great Britain and the inventor Thomas Edison. </p><p>"When we purchased it, it was the first time in 125 years that the entire estate was open to the public," said Thompson. "It's a really, really amazing house filled with tons of history." </p><p>As he led a tour group through the mansion's hallowed corridors Sunday, he stressed that despite its deep history and current status as an attraction, the mansion is first and foremost home for him and Solari. </p><p>"I want you to realize and feel that this is our home," he said. "This is not a museum, this is not a memorial, this is not a place that you have to walk with your hands behind your back. You are our guests." </p><p>Solari said the opportunity for the pair to purchase the mansion sort of "fell into (their) lap" while they were looking to buy a beachfront home around Ormond Beach. </p><p>Although the two both had experience in real estate, neither had dealt with restoring a historic mansion. But bit by bit, over about 18 months, they transformed their new house into a home Stetson himself would probably enjoy. </p><p>In each room, visitors are greeted with the sweet smell of pine, coming from than a dozen Christmas trees displayed throughout the mansion, each decorated in a unique fashion, often to reflect the history of the room they're in. </p><p>Thompson said throughout the years he and Solari have owned the mansion, it's popularity has only continued to increase – something he largely attributes to satisfied visitors spreading news about the home through word-of-mouth. He said this year marks their busiest holiday season thus far. </p><p>Tours are available at different times throughout the day, but reservations are required. Admission is $20 per person, payable in cash at the door. Space is limited, and many of the holiday tours, which end on Jan. 15, are already sold out. </p><p></p><p> </p><p>If you go </p><p><b>WHAT:</b> Christmas tours at the Stetson Mansion </p><p><b>WHEN:</b> 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., through Jan. 15 </p><p><b>WHERE:</b> Stetson Mansion, 1031 Camphor Lane, DeLand (off of Spring Garden Avenue) </p><p><b>HOW MUCH:</b> $20 for adults, $10 for children </p><p><b>ALSO:</b> Reservations required for all tours. E-mail StetsonMansion@hotmail.com with your preferred date and alternate dates, number of people in your party and a number you can be reached at. No phone calls for reservations.</p>